Reed Firsts made a successful start to their league campaign with a well deserved win over old rivals Preston. Having been put in during the most difficult of the day’s conditions, they made a steady start reaching 78 for 1 through a stand of 59 between Sam Osborne and Rob Lankester (35). Bertie Scott then gave the innings momentum cracking 7 boundaries, including 4 from one over, in a quick-fire 29. When Osborne, who only turned 16 two days previously, was eventually dismissed for a disciplined, well crafted 56, Reed looked well placed at 165 for 5, but Australian, Sathyajith, took 4 for 12 to restrict them to 193 for 9. Matt Sampson’s 22 was the mainstay of the lower order.
At 70 for 1, Preston appeared to be on top, but Toby Fynn’s economical 10 over spell for 27 had already put them behind the asking rate and spinners Scott (1-36) and Tom Greaves (3-23) from their full allocations put them even further behind. The latter removed the dangerous Ed Wharton for a golden duck on his return to The Green courtesy of a sensational catch by James Heslam at first slip. It was left to Karl Ward (3-13) and Matt Giblin (2-34) to clean up the innings, leaving Preston 134 all out.
Altogether a highly satisfactory performance after last season’s toils in the Premier Division.
Match report submitted by Peter Wholley.
